Spirit of Safari

What connotation does the word "Safari" haveflushing toilets, 2-ply loo paper and hot water
for you?available whenever necessary. It's like a little piece
For some it involves trekking through scrub bush,of heaven.
being at one with nature, getting up close to theYou get to travel in comfortable rough terrain
animals (hopefully downwind) and the thrill ofvehicles. Ok rough terrain vehicles are not exactly
knowing that at any moment they could comethe most comfortable in the world but these are
across something wild and distinctly animal. Thisas comfortable as you can get them and some
would probably appeal to outdoorsy adventurousare air-conditioned. Now that is cool. You cover
types. Or those who consider themselvesmore ground so your chance of seeing more
outdoorsy adventurous types. Or those whoanimals is increased. You may get out of the
have never been outdoorsy and adventurous invehicle at your guide's discretion, so you can still
their entire sedentary lives but who now feel theget that thrill of sneaking up on some
need for an outdoorsy adventurous experience.unsuspecting elephants scratching themselves on
What could be more envigourating andtree trunks, or a mother rhino suckling her baby,
empowering than trekking lions and elephants,just watch out for daddy, he's protective and is
animals far mightier and more dangerous than us?deceptively fast. Then just as you begin to get
The adrenaline rush when the guide suddenlyuncomfortable in the heat or cold, its back to the
beckons you to be quiet, to duck down and tobus and off you go again.
follow her slowly, would be heady enough toIf it's a really good luxury safari, they pack a
rocket you to the sky. You probably wouldn'tgood lunch and provide something to soothe your
even feel your feet move as you tiptoedparched throat in the form of good wine. If it's
forward and stopped as your eyes followed heronly a good luxury safari they'll make you wait
finger to the pride of lions drinking from theuntil you get back to the lodge and/or chalets
muddy pool. The awe you would feel as youbefore cooking up an excellent 3-course meal with
watched them drink side by side with somebefore the mentioned wines and maybe some
giraffe, too full to show any interest in thembeer for those whose tastes run that way. Meals
having just eaten their fill of springbuck, wouldare usually outdoors so that you can get the
probably be indescribable and be burned into yourmost out of your nature experience.
soul forever.Now let your imagination run riot with a big
For the very hardcore adventurous types there iscrackling fire, too many stars to count and so
safari camping. This involves actually camping in abright that you can almost see by them. Relax
game park over night, or over several nights. Youwith your glass of wine or beer, or soft drink if
are not the only one if you think that this soundsalcohol is not your style, we like teetotalers too,
a little dangerous. Nor are you the only one if theand listen to the noises that the animals make.
thought of sleeping in a flimsy tent and sleepingThey are scary at first, especially when it sounds
bag while nocturnal predators roam makes you alike they're coming closer and closer and they
little uncomfortable. Sleep in such circumstancecould be a little on the hungry side. But the guide
might in fact be hard to come by. Presumablyexplains that they don't like the fire and so keep
that all adds to the thrill. Some people actuallytheir distance (secretly you wonder what happens
thrive on it, are totally comfortable with it and canwhen the fire goes out and you're in your bed,
sleep with a rhino taking a leak right next to them.but you try to push that out of your mind) and
Power to them. Its total environmentthat the noises that they make are just their
envelopment, completely letting go of your cityway of communicating with each other. So you
life and embracing nature in its rawest form.relax a bit more and commune with nature some
Again, it appeals to some. It appeals to rather amore, and look forward to your bath that opens
lot actually.out onto a deck with a view across the park and
For the softer, more delicate types, for thoseto the chocolates that are on your pillow. This is a
who do not like hoofing it through scrub grass andsafari the luxury way.
sweating through their khakis, there areAnyway you choose to do it and whatever your
alternative options that are no less fulfilling or awepreference your safari is your own unique
inspiring. Luxury safaris. Now what could be betterexperience. It is treasured within your soul and
than that? In touch with nature, up close andsomehow helps bind you closer to the majestic
personal with large and wild animals and best of all,continent that is Africa.